Combined scraper and emptier mechanism for wet pan mixing machines



ug. 8, 1950 Y w. E. MGMURRAY 2,518,428

COMBINED scRAPEE AND EMPIIER MEcHANIsM Fox wET PAN MIXING MACHINES 2 Sheecs--Sheetl 1 Filed June 14, 1947 ug. 8, 1950 w. E. MCMURRAY CDMBINED SCRAPER AND EMPTIER MECHANISM FOR WET PAN MIXING MACHINES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 14, 1947 Patented Aug. 8, 1950 'COMBINED SCRAPER AND vEMPTIER MECH- ANISM FOR WET PAN MIXING MACHINES Walter E. McMurray, Cleariield, Pa., assignor to Clearfield Machine Company, Clearfield, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application June 14, 1947, Serial No. 754,744

-6 Claims. y l

This invention relates to a mixing machine and more particularly to a grinding and mixing machine of the type commonly known as a wet pan mixing machine.

In mixing machines of the named class, which have heretofore been used, some difliculty has been experienced in `making the usual scraper and emptier disc conform to the inner surface of the pan in both its scraping and emptying positions. Difficulty has also been experienced because of foreign matter which has become wedged under the disc, resulting in bending and breaking of the apparatus. Furthermore with some materials, it has been found that the mullerrolls tend to spill material out of the pan. Finally, dimculty has been experienced in adjusting the usual agitator for continuing best operation.

. I have now found that it is possible to overcome the difficulties experienced with the scraper and emptier disc by means of a novel pivot arrangement, whereby the disc may be caused to conform to the inner surface of the pan in both the scraping and the emptying positions, and whereby large or hard pieces of foreign matter may pass under the vdisc without being wedged beneath it. I have also found that by novel arrangement of the shafts upon which the mullerrolls rotate, spillage of material from the pan by action of the muller-rolls can be eliminated. Finally, I have found it possible so to adjust the agitator as to keep it in proper contact with the bottom of the pan as wear takes place. The novel features of the present invention provide a greatly improved mixing machine with advantages not present in known machines of like character.

The invention is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a plan viewY of a mixing machine constructed and arranged according to the invention.

Figure 2 is an elevation of the same machine as viewed from the right in Figure 1, half of this ligure being shown in vertical section, and some parts being omitted for clarity.

Figure 3 is a broken section taken on the line III- III of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a fragmental plan View of the mixing machine illustrated in Figure 1, showing the scraper and emptier disc in the emptying position.

Figure 5 is a fragmental vertical section taken on the line V--V of Figure 1, and I Figure 6 is a broken vertical section taken on the line VI--VI of Figure 1.

(ICI. 222-4162) In the drawings, there is shown a mixing machine comprising a horizontal grinding and mixing pan I9, which is rotated about a vertical axis from a motor II, the shaft I2 of which has a worm gear I3 thereon, through which a, toothed Wheel I4 is driven. The toothed wheel is fixed to a Vertical shaft I5, having fixed to its upper end a spur gear I5, which meshes with a gear ring il bolted to the bottom of the pan II), whereby the latter is rotated. Muller-rolls I8, I8 are mounted through hubs I9, I9 upon fixed shafts 220 and 2i (later to be described) in a position to mull or crush material in the bottom of the pan as the latter rotates.

The pan I!) has an upwardly-flared rim 22 which provides an inner surface of revolution around the rotary axis of the pan. When'the pan is rotated, its contents tend to move outwardly to the rim 22, and if permitted to remain there, will not be subject to the action of the mailer-rolls. Accordingly, a disc 23 is provided for scraping the material from the rim 22 and deilecting it inwardly of the pan toward the portion thereof upon which the muller-rcflls act. The disc 23 is a combined scraper and emptier disc, as will later more fully appear. The scraping position of the disc 23 is illustrated in Figure 1. In this position the peripheral edge of the disc is in contact along a circular arc with the surface of revolution provided` by the rim 22. As illustrated in Figure 1, the pan rotates in a contra-clockwise direction. The angle which the disc makes with the `pan is such that material scraped from its rim is deflected to the bottom of the pan beneath the muller-roll I8, toward which the pan rotates in passing the disc.

It is preferred to employ a rotary disc for the scraping operation as well as for the emptying operation. Accordingly, the disc is journaled for rotation within the pan. As here shown, the disc 23 is bolted to a bell-shaped member 24 which is, in turn, fixed to a journal 25, extending axially therein. See Figure 5. The ,journal 2-5 is disposed in a substantially horizontal position, and is rotatable in a bearing member 26. The bearing member is carried by an angular support 2l, which is, in turn, pivoted for horizontal movement to a stationary bracket 28 fixed outside of vthe pan IG and extending thereover. Thus a vertical pin 2.9, transversely offset with respect to the journal 25, connects the angular support 2l to the stationary bracket. The angular support may,`therefore, be swung horizontally about the pin 29 to vary the position of the disc 23 in the pan.

In the position illustrated in Figure 1, the material in the pan moving past the disc 23 and deflected along its lower surface, turns the disc, rotating it in a direction which causes its edge, as seen in Figure 1, to move downwardly of the drawing, and the journal 25 turns freely in the bearing memberA 26 topermit this turning ofi the: disc. At thesame time; the material in the pan is deflected from its circular path to move beneath the muller-roll beyond the disc.

If a large or hard bit of... foreign, matter bef Y comes wedged beneath therdsc 23, damagelmayf result as the pan continues to rotate. The apparatus may be broken or:4 bent; Provision. is, therefore, made for permittifngvthek dscf23itofri'de up over such objects as they come in contact with the rotating disc. To thiaend, thegangulau support 21 is not pivoted directly to the bracket 28, but the pivot 29 connects the angular'suppert 21 to a part 30, which is in turn pivoted to the stationary fbracketgZ-; by ahorizontakpin 3.1 which is; parallel to2 thshaft: About: this, horizontal.v pinelf., the vertical'` pim 2.9;*` thee angular support 2f] :and `thee entire-g disc'assemialyfareifrees to move vertically,

When iti is; desired; to: emptyzf the paru of; mailed andmixed contents, the; disc 23Y is.` swung from ther scrapngrposition illustratedeinl Figure l into; thel emptying position shown', .im Figure-4. In this?position,I `the peripheralfedgeofv the-,disais in contact substantially'alongg a second circular L.,

arc; with; the surface,l of-s; revolution provided by` tha-rim.- A. handle, 321i providedffor swinging the disc. The handles32..is.ccnnecteitofthefangulare support. 211* aboye the stationary,` bracket andzbeneatnthefupper armoiparti, Thus; byu swmgingrthehandlf 32 im ,asclockwisa direction. an viewed-@im Figure Y 1;: the, disci` assembly may be V similarly-swung;aboutithepivot ZQTunti-l itreaches ,oo actsswith thee-disc. 23...'tofpreyent. materiall from being;V carriedany, appreciableedistance .above the discharge chute:

It; will be, observed that. theffangle between the disc 23ev andthe rim. 22... is.. less.. when.C the disc is inthe empty-ingfpositionfthanit is when the.disc is in the scraping position.. This necessarily; so if. the disc. istd performeitsiseparate functions effectively.. YSince the.;` curve ofrthe-.rimis designed. to, meet Vthe circumference of the disc when. in, ther.. scraping position, and.A sinceV the curve.. of;- the rim; remains constant, obviously some; adjustmentof the.:A discrposition. is required if. the.- circumference.;of.v the disc, is` to... conform to,.thezcur.ye. of the-g rim...in.tl1`e, emptying. posi,- tio11...of; the. disc; In# order that; suchadjustment may. be made,means isl proyidedfor, permitting.. the. disc to` tilt; o ut ojtheventicalgplane. until its edge. fits-the curve ofd the..ri`m,andjmeansisalsov proilid`e-d fon li'rnitliav thisVltilting action. The angular. support. 2T' isaccordne1y,. formed asa transversefyoke. 3G; adj acentj, the pointv at which iticarriesfthe.bearingrnemben2B' andthe bearing member. horizontal'ry. pivoted" to the angular 'supportas apin` 31.1, horizontal pivot, extending transversely of the shaft" 25;A ispros videdA betweenthe bearing membe1t 2b"- and the vertical pivot, or pin 291` about which'1 the disc 4 Y may rock to adjust its peripheral edge to the rim surface. Furthermore the bearing member 2t has a tongue 38 which extends from the pin 31 within the yoke 36 formed on the angular support 21. See Figure' 5. Set screws 39 and 40, extending through the yokeL aboveandV beneath thetongue, limitrocking of therbearing member about the pin 31. Thus, the disc 23 may adjust itself to the curve of the rim when in emptying position.,

The different. angles which the disc makes with the rim in the scraping and emptying posiarenecessary' for Securing eiTective scraping and" effective discharge of material from the pan,v andi it will loe-observed that the difference between .theseyangles is effected by the position of the vertical pin 29 about which the disc 23 swings between the position of scraping and the position of discharging. If the shaft 25 were disposedY radiallyV of thepan` and the. verticalipin wereiniline with this axisfabout.: which the disc rotates, these.Y angleswould; be.v theV same.. However, by displacing the pin-.Zrtoward thelinesoi. rima contact with. the.- disc.. during the. scraping operation, the. scraping. ang-le, made. greater. andthe emptying angle isomade smaller.

Ithasy been foundl that. the` mul1errollsrv have. Y av tendency to discharge,- material over therim.

ofVW thee pan.L because material at. thef outer, edge. of. the-roll sometimes assumes.. andr, maintains curyedshape conforming tQfthecircuLar edgeof theroll.. Such material; carried upwardly. by the rising face of. the,y roll,Y may, be, discharged.' over` theparar-iniy in much the, samelway in which the disc- 23 operateswhen.in emptying position... By, having the upwardly-turningroll; edgeA farther from the rim than the downwardly-turning rollv edge, has; been found possible` to.. preventsuch discharge oi; material from the., pan. Special means, is, thereforeprovided; for positioning the upwardly.-turning4 muller-roll; edge, at a. greater distance from. the rim, than thev corresponding downwardly-turning edge. Itis for this purpose that.. the. millier-rolls ,i are mounted upon separate parallel xedshaftsZ andY 21.1, on oppositesides of the ,.pandiameter. instead of'being mounted.r as heretofore on af snglecontinuousf xed. shaft. exe tending between. stationary. uprightsimmediately outside. of. and diametrically, across the, pan. Thus. the, shaft.. 2D.. is, xed'at. its; outer, endina. block-,.411 carried by a. stationary` upright 42.',` and the. outer. end; of theseparateshaftl is iixed'fin'v a.. block` I3I carriedv by adiametricalIy opposite stationary/,upright M outside-of the. pan. The inner'endsiof! the, shafts. 201 and., 2|'. are. eccentri cally clamped'between members 45 and 4'6. (Figf ureslfaizld^ 2.)4 abovethecen-ter of the pan.. The inner endlof'eac-h shaft i's-.so clampedasto bring the, upwardly-turning muller-roll edge farther from the. rim-22 than. the downwardly-turning edge. As a result, material carried' upwardly by, themuller-rolls will fall rwithin the. pan.. instead ctbeingspilledover itsedge.

A rotary agitator 4.1 is` positioned inithepan'.V

for action in well-known .manner towbreale up, agitata-and mix material whichhas been'. pressed into cakes by the muller-rolls; iin-thepresent embodiment; the agitator' isdisposedbetweenzthe two mul'lererolls. i8,Y Ml andisubstantiallyfoppositef thacombined scraper vandA emptier. disc 231; The

agitator M comprises a head formed by a pliater land-feet 49 which extend outwardly anddownwardly therefrom. Theagitator lllis' Xedly/attached to the-bottom offa rotaryjhub which, in operating position, extends* upwardly therefrom' to a position within a fixed flanged bushing 5|,

which surrounds the upper end of the hub. A stationary shaft 52 is made fast and fixedly secured in known or convenient manner within the stationary bushing 5|, and extends downwardly therefrom within the hub 5|) which rotates thereon. Thus, the agitator rotates about the shaft 52. Y

For best operation, the feet 49 must be in contact with the bottom of the pan near the rim 22, but must clear the bottom on the opposite side of `the mixer. The shaft 52 must, therefore, inoline downwardly away from the rim. See Figure 3.

As the bo-ttoms of the feet 49 wear, it becomes vnecessary to adjust the position of the shaft 52 vertically. .Such adjustment is effected by supporting the fixed iianged bushing 5| on a vertically adjust-able support above the pan I0. As here shown, this support is a goose-neck 53 fas tened as by clamps 54 and 55 to the stationary frame within which the pan is disposed. The goose-neck may be raised or lowered by loosening the clamps 54 and 55, loosening the nut 58, and turning the adjusting screw 56. ing the nut and the clamps iixes the assembly in position.

With continued operation of the mixer the bottom of the pan will wear and become concave.

This requires adjustment of the inclination of the :j

horizont-ally beneath the upper and outer end of i the goose-neck 53, and a plurality of holes are made in this plate to register with similar holes formed in the flange of the bushing 5|. Four such holes are illustrated in the drawings. The

upper end of the stationary shaft 52 is given a spherical form 6|.) and the shaft is so fixed in the bushing 5| that its upper end projects beyond the flange formed thereon. Bolts 6| are passed through the registering holes in the plate 59 and the flange of the bushing 5|, and nuts .'52, threaded upon the bolts draw the plate and bushing together with the spherical end 6|) of the stationary shaft 52 in contact with the plate 59. Loosening and tightening the nuts G2 upon the bolts 6| adjusts the inclination of the rotary hub 5D and stationary shaft 52. The holes formed in the plate 59 and in the ange on the bushing 5|, together with the bolts 6| and nuts 62, constitute a connection between the plate and the shaft 52 for tilting the shaft angularly about its spherical upper end and fixing the angle of the shaft with respect to the plate 59. Obviously other connections might effect the same result and adjust the inclination of the agitator 41 in the pan.

As the inclination of the shaft 52 to the vertical is increased, the agitator may come into contact with the central portion of the pan l0. To avoid this, it is merely necessary to loosen the clamps 54 and 55 and to swing the goose-neck in a horizontal plane. Thus, a third adjustment may be effected.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the invention provides a novel pivot arrangement whereby a combined scraper and emptier disc may be caused to conform to the inner surface of a grinding and mixing pan in both of its operating positions. It will also be apparent that the invention makes it possible for large or hard pieces of foreign matter to pass beneath the disc Without damage to the mixer parts. Further- Tighten- 3 6 more the invention prevents spilling of material from the mixer by the muller-rolls. Finally, the agitator may be appropriately and easily adjusted as required.

The details of the invention herein described and illustrated in the drawings are presented merely as examples of how the invention may be applied. Other forms and embodiments of the invention coming within the proper scope of the appended claims will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the mixing machine art.

I claim:

1. A mixing machine comprising a horizontal rotary pan having an upwardly-flared rim providing an inner surface of revolution around the rotary axis of said pan, a combined scraper and emptier disc, and 'a substantially horizontal bearing immediately above said pin in which said disc is journaled for rotation with its peripheral edge in contact along a circular arc with the surface of revolution provided by the rim of said pan, in combination with a stationary support for said substantially horizontal bearing, having va freely pivotal supporting connection therewith through a vertical pivot horizontally offset from the axis of said substantially horizontal bearing to permit said scraper and emptier disc and its bearing to swing horizontally about said vertical pivot and bring the peripheral edge of said dis-c into contact substantially along a second circular arc with the surface of revolution provided by the rim of said pan.

2. A mixing machine comprising a horizontal rotary pan having an upwardly-flared rim providing an inner surface o-f revolution around the rotary Iaxis of said pan, a combined scraper and emptier disc, a substantially horizontal bearing immediately above said pan in which said disc is journaled for rotation with its peripheral edge in contact along a circular arc with the surface of revolution provided by the rim of said pan, in combination with a stationary support for said substantially horizontal bearing, having a freely pivotal supporting connection therewith through a vertical pivot horizontally offset from the axis of said substantially horizontal bearing to permit said scraper and emptier disc and its bearing to swing horizontally about said vertical pivot and bring the peripheral edge of said disc into contact substantially along a second circular arc with the surface of revolution provided by the rim of said pan, and a horizontal pivot extending transversely of said bearing and between said bearing and said vertical pivot about which said disc may turn to adjust its peripheral edge to the surface of revolution formed by the rim of said pan.

3. A mixing machine comprising a horizontal rotary pan having an upwardly-fiared rim providing an inner surface of revolution around the rotary axis of said pan, a combined scraper and emptier disc, a substantially horizontal bearing immediately above said pan in which said disc is journaled for rotation with its peripheral edge in Contact along a circular arc with the surface of revolution provided by the rim of said pan, in combination with a stationary support for said substantially horizontal bearing, having a freely pivotal supporting connection therewith through a vertical pivot horizontally oifset from the axis of said substantially horizontal bearing to permit said scraper and emptier disc and its bearing to swing horizontally about said vertical pivot and bring the peripheral edge of said disc into contact substantially along a second circular arc with-fthe'. euraee eef .,:reroluton .vprordeneby ...the -.rim V.ei usaid .nan ya .herizonteli @met extending :transversely L of VV.gsaid bearing v@mdf between .said bearing and said vertical pivot aboutf-Whahaid ldscmay turn-to adinstits peripheraredgeto :the :surface Aofi;-revolution termed Joy therimo said .narrrarnl set sorewsg-lim-iting tur-ningof ,said v.disc about saidhorizental pyot,

f-A. mixing .machinereomprisnga horizental Vrotary -panhavng anznpwardly-faredfrimpro- Viding an inner surfaeefiof lrevolution around! the rotary axis of said pan, a stationary biaolgetxed ieutsidefuof eaidfgnanzfand extending .the-reunen; an

:stantiaxlly herizonta :bearing yearred'by another part of l said; erft inwarrily ,of .the .rim .QLsad .-pan, fand a reembinedf-scraper and. .emptier dise sa-idfbearing orarotatILW-ihils v support abeiglig; @nimble hOrizontallr aheut J@said Vertical -Dix/.ot c to bring yhe neral eeleefe @aid-disc .into .,eentaet .along lutien-proifidedbythe rimof seldpan. n .maehneeeninrsine .a .herizentel ewan innersuriace., .of reirolutionaround `the :roteryfaxisfef said an .azstationanl braeketxed outside of said pan and extending .thelevehan angular supnort,-.a vertiealpinot, meansfor connecting one part c-f said-angular,supportfhlloueh said piviot to said bracket i@Ver said, fpan,.anda.

yV pan 1ra-ring lall ,upwardly :flared rim, .P110- Y .tact 4-.s1Abstamm.ally along .a `second ...circular arc .-Wthz-fthe. ,surface .Y pf revolution provided loyaihe rim Qisaid-pan,and upper.A and lowereetserews .threadedthrough theyoke formed .on saidsup- .portfforrcoasting with .thetongue formedon said v.loearing- .to limitroek'i-ng :of .saidv Ahorizontally..piv-

Lnoted. disc.

6. A mixing machine comprising amorizontal rotaryy pan leaving an upwardlyfared .pro-

viding an inner surface. of rei/.olutionaroundffthe -retaryfagisi said .palta.stationarybraeket xed outsideof saidy pian andeX-tendng thereover, an

.angular support. ya vertical pivotmeans fomenneeting one part of said angular support through said.pivot tosaid vbracket :over `said nan,- asubistanllially, horizontal bearing carried lby another part `of sai/d supportinwardly of ,the rim .oisaid een, a. combined. scraper and emptier. disc` our- .naledxin ,said Vbearing for rotation :WithitsmelripheralV- ed'ge.in contact along'a eiroulararowith .thesurface of revolution -provdedbyvthe rim.,-Qf

,said pan, said support. bei-ngturnable horizontally aboutsaid `.Vertical .pivot to bring thev peripheral edge of saiddiso into Contact substantiallyvalong a`.seeond lcircular arowith the surface .oireilo- .luti-on proyided. by;y the .rim `.of said pan, .andra horizontal pivot at right angles to saidsyertical pivot .about .which sadsupport and said yVertical pix/:011. m-ayrise .against .the force` ogravity when Y afforeignobject becomes vwedged under .saiddisd WALTER McMUBRAl/.

BEFERENQES CITED The following references are of reooldgin "the fiile of this A 'patenti UNITED lSTATES PATENTS Number w17am@ MDate 278,407 V May 29, 1883 .432,602 Cliord July122, 18.90 eases? Renneld .May. 7,1895

.1,127,587 Carlin ,-F.e.b.,9, 1915 ...1,181,990 Carlin May ,9,1916 ,1,718,004 Reed Junel; 1929 1,806,077 -McMurray .May ,19, 1931 2,277,209 Qhristensen Mar.,24,. 1.9.42 

